Expert or Generalist?
I have noticed that there are two sorts of people. Some people are experts in a couple of things, while others are generalists in many things…and maybe there is a third sort who can’t do anything well…
I’ve been watching a lot of the History Channel’s, Pawn Stars. In the show, people bring stuff into the shop to try to sell. Most of the time the guys at the shop have a basic knowledge of what people have, and can accurately make an offer for a price (these guys are generalists). But sometimes someone will bring in something so strange or rare that the pawn shop guys will need to call in an expert on that item (ex. antique firearms or naval memorabilia).
I think that I am more of a generalist. I know a little bit about a lot of stuff (worship, design, music, ministry, sports, computers, etc.), but I wouldn’t consider myself an “expert” in anything…
What would you say you are:
an expert or a generalist?
90 D.B.C.J.&D. – Day 21
In 1 Samuel chapter 30, David, Son of Jesse, is in a tumultuous spot. He has been exiled by Saul to the land of the Philistines. Not yet having a kingdom of his own, I think he is in the midst of leadership development. He is becoming the king that he will one day be.
David and his men sack Ziklag, taking captive all the women and children, and burning the city to the ground. Upon returning to their camp they are horrified to find that what they did to Ziklag has been done to them. David, and the rest of his band, come home to find their wives and children gone and their camp burned with fire. What’s worse, the people spoke of stoning David for his leadership failure. How does David respond? Let’s pick it up in 30:6…Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
The turning point, and leadership development, in this story is David’s response to not only his failure, but the criticism (mortal criticisms in this case) of his followers. David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. He is brought the ephod, and he inquires of God what his next move should be.
This resonated with me this morning. As a leader in church there are many times I fail, and more times I feel the heat of criticisms (though not mortal). In those times, as a leader, how do I handle them? Those who don’t deal with them, who internalize them, who stuff them away and don’t grow will eventually burn out. But I hope I take a note from David and when trials come in my leadership (which they will) I want to strengthen myself in the LORD my God. This was the encouragement I needed this morning to keep on.
